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Trump Asks ‘Why Didn’t You Tell Me About Pearl Harbor’ When Japanese Reporter Brings Up Lack of Warning on Iran

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President Donald Trump on Thursday had a viral response for a Japanese reporter who asked why the United States did not give Japan advance warning of Operation Epic Fury.

During Trump’s bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae in the Oval Office, the reporter asked him, “Why didn’t you tell U.S. allies in Europe and Asia, like Japan, about the war before attacking Iran?”

“One thing you don’t want to signal too much. You know, when we go in, we went in very hard. We didn’t tell anybody about it because we wanted surprise,” he said. “Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor?”

“You believe in surprise, I think much more so than us, and we had to surprise them, and we did,” Trump added. “And because of that surprise… in the first two days, we probably knocked out…much more than what we anticipated doing. If I go and tell everybody about it, there’s no longer a surprise.”

Moments earlier, Trump commended Japan for “stepping up to the plate” on Iran while taking a dig at North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries. (Read more from “Trump Asks ‘Why Didn’t You Tell Me About Pearl Harbor’ When Japanese Reporter Brings Up Lack of Warning on Iran” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

Japan’s Demographic Crisis Deepens as Population Falls by Nearly a Million

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Japan is facing its steepest population decline in modern history, with newly released government figures revealing a drop of more than 900,000 people in a single year—a record-setting contraction that highlights the country’s deepening demographic emergency.

According to data published this week by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the total number of Japanese nationals fell by 908,574 in 2024. The nation’s population now stands at approximately 120 million, down from its peak of 126.6 million in 2009.

This marks the 16th consecutive year of population decline, driven by two reinforcing trends: persistently low birth rates and an aging society. In 2024 alone, Japan recorded fewer than 690,000 births, the lowest figure since the government began tracking the statistic in 1968. Meanwhile, nearly 1.6 million deaths occurred, marking the highest annual total on record.

The demographic imbalance is creating severe strain on Japan’s economic and social systems. The country’s working-age population (defined as individuals aged 15 to 64) has dropped to just 59% of the total population, significantly below the OECD global average of 65%.

At the same time, nearly one in three Japanese citizens is now over the age of 65, placing immense pressure on public pension systems, healthcare infrastructure, and eldercare services.

Economists warn that without a substantial reversal, Japan may face major labor shortages, economic stagnation, and difficulties maintaining basic public services—especially in rural areas that are losing residents faster than cities.

Japanese policymakers have been attempting to reverse the downward spiral for years, ramping up support for families and encouraging higher birth rates through a range of initiatives. These include offering financial incentives for childbirth, subsidizing housing for young families, and promoting greater participation in childcare by fathers.

But so far, those efforts have yielded limited results.

“Japan is confronting the consequences of demographic inertia,” said a Tokyo-based population analyst. “Even if the birth rate were to rise tomorrow, it would take decades for that shift to be reflected in a balanced age structure. The current pyramid is simply too top-heavy.”

Experts attribute Japan’s declining birthrate to a combination of economic insecurity, high living costs, and entrenched gender roles that continue to limit career and family options for women. Many young couples report delaying marriage and childbirth due to financial pressure or a lack of support in the workplace.

The fertility rate in Japan has hovered well below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman since the 1970s and currently sits closer to 1.3. Unless that changes dramatically and quickly—a scenario many demographers view as unlikely—the population will continue to shrink for decades.

While Japan is not alone in facing aging demographics, the pace and scale of its population decline are among the most severe globally.

Photo credit: Flickr

Stunning Japan Railgun Breakthrough Has the U.S. Navy Asking Tough Questions

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Japan is successfully advancing its electromagnetic railgun program, with ongoing ship-based tests aboard the JS Asuka showcasing the weapon’s potential.

-Designed to counter hypersonic missiles and saturation attacks, the railgun fires projectiles at Mach 6+ speeds using electricity. . .

Japan’s efforts to build and develop an electromagnetic railgun, a futuristic weapon that fires projectiles using electricity, appear to have been successful.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) released an image of its state-of-the-art railgun on April 18. It is currently undergoing testing aboard the test ship JS Asuka.

The Japanese ship-mounted railgun offers a cost-effective and rapid response to potential missile saturation threats by utilizing electromagnetic energy to launch projectiles at hypersonic velocities. In this case, it would be to defend itself against Chinese and Russian hypersonic missiles. (Read more from “Stunning Japan Railgun Breakthrough Has the U.S. Navy Asking Tough Questions” HERE)

Bomb Dropped During WWII Finally Explodes

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A dormant U.S.-made World War II-era bomb exploded Wednesday morning at an airport in southwestern Japan, prompting a runway closure and multiple flight cancellations, according to reports.

The shell exploded without warning on a taxiway at Miyazaki Airport at about 8 a.m., leaving a crater nearly 23 feet wide and just over three feet deep, Japan’s Kyodo News reported.

The Japanese army’s explosive ordnance disposal unit investigated the site, the outlet added. No injuries were reported. Local firefighters and police also responded, and the police issued a localized evacuation order.

A video of the explosion obtained by Kyodo News from a nearby aviation college shows black debris shooting skyward and a damaged portion of the tarmac. An airplane had passed nearby only two minutes before, the outlet reported.

The bomb was a U.S.-made weapon, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters in Tokyo, according to Kyodo News. (Read more from “Bomb Dropped During WWII Finally Explodes” HERE)

A Single Rapey Dolphin May Be Terrorizing Japan

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A spike in beachgoer injuries in Japan’s Wasaka Bay has reportedly been linked to a single, particularly aggressive dolphin, with experts suggesting sexual frustration might be driving erratic behavior.

No less than 47 people have sustained injuries from dolphin attacks in this region from 2022 to the present, prompting marine researchers to investigate the cause of these unusual encounters, according to The New York Times (NYT). A maritime expert told the outlet that one Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin — a male — may be responsible for the alarming rise in incidents.

This conclusion reportedly came after a thorough review of photos and videos capturing the incidents, according to Director Ryoichi Matsubara of Fukui’s Echizen Matsushima Aquarium. He told the outlet that the aggressive behavior may be attributed to mating urges.

Matsubara told the NYT this particular dolphin was sighted attempting “to press his genitals against people.” However, he reportedly added that the dolphin bit some individuals following them approaching it or even making physical contact. (Read more from “A Single Rapey Dolphin May Be Terrorizing Japan” HERE)

Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index Plunges 7% as Worries Over US Economy Shake World Markets

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Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 stock index plunged as much as 7.1% early Monday before recovering some lost ground, extending sell-offs that began last week.

At one point, the Nikkei shed more than 2,500 points. By the time of the Tokyo market’s midday break, the index was down about 5.5%, or about 1,900 points, at 33,945.43. . .

Stocks tumbled Friday on worries the U.S. economy could be cracking under the weight of high interest rates meant to tame inflation. Early Monday, the future for the S&P 500 was 1.4% lower and that for the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 1.5%.

“To put it mildly, the spike in volatility-of-volatility is a spectacle that underlines just how jittery markets have become,” Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management said in a commentary. “The real question now looms: Can the typical market reflex to sell volatility or buy the market dip prevail over the deep-seated anxiety brought on by this sudden and sharp recession scare?” (Read more from “Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index Plunges 7% as Worries Over US Economy Shake World Markets” HERE)

Making History: Joe Slips up in Plea to Voters for Support (VIDEO)

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President Joe Biden slipped up during his joint press conference with the prime minister of Japan, saying he’s “in the 20th century” before quickly correcting himself to say 21st.

Biden was answering a question on the Arizona state supreme court ruling that brought back an 1864 abortion law.

“What do you say to the people of Arizona right now who are witnessing a law go in place that dates back to the Civil War?” a reporter asked.

Biden was ready with an answer, at least a first.

“Elect me,” he said immediately. “I’m in the 20, 20th century — 21st century. Not back then. They [Arizona] weren’t even a state.”

(Read more from “Making History: Joe Slips up in Plea to Voters for Support” HERE)

Deadly 7.6-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Japan, Leaving Destruction and Devastation

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As Japan welcomed the New Year, the nation was rocked by a powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa prefecture. The seismic event, which occurred at 4:10 p.m. local time at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles), has claimed at least four lives and inflicted significant property damage, triggering a series of tsunami alerts as far away as eastern Russia.

The United States Geological Survey reported the quake’s devastating impact, noting that it collapsed buildings, ignited fires, and prompted widespread evacuations along the affected coastal areas of Japan. The aftermath of the quake has left a trail of destruction, with images and videos circulating on social media capturing the extent of the damage.

At least 31 smaller aftershocks continued throughout the day, with the likelihood of further seismic activity in the days and months ahead. One particularly distressing incident involved approximately 1,400 passengers stranded inside high-speed bullet trains for roughly ten hours following the main earthquake.

In response to the crisis, an estimated 8,500 military personnel have been deployed to aid in the relief effort. President Joe Biden has already expressed the United States’ readiness to provide any necessary assistance to the Japanese people, underscoring the international concern and solidarity in the face of this natural disaster.

As the affected communities grapple with the aftermath of this devastating event, the global community watches closely, offering condolences and assistance to a nation grappling with the sobering reality of starting the new year amidst tragedy.

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Japan’s Leader Tells UN He Wants Meeting With Kim Jong Un, ‘Without Conditions’

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Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida late Tuesday night reiterated an offer to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to find a diplomatic path forward amid growing tensions over Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons program.

Kishida said his country was willing to resolve all of its issues with its isolated neighbor, including the highly controversial kidnappings of civilians to train as spies.

“From the perspective of opening up a new era together, I would like to convey my determination to meet with President Kim Jong Un face-to-face at any time without any conditions,” Kishida said during his speech at the United Nations, adding he would welcome “high-level talks” under his “direct supervision.”

Kishida, the final global leader to speak in a day of speeches that began at 9 a.m., also pledged $20 million to help rid the world of nuclear weapons, something he described as his life’s work. Kishida represents Hiroshima, the site of the world’s first nuclear attack. (Read more from “Japan’s Leader Tells UN He Wants Meeting With Kim Jong Un, ‘Without Conditions'” HERE)

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Video: Man Spends $14,000 to Fulfill Childhood ‘Desire to Transform’ Into a Collie Dog

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A Japanese man finally fulfilled his childhood “desire to transform” into an animal. The adult human spent over $14,000 on a custom-made collie dog costume.

A Japanese man released a video of his “transformation” to a collie dog on his YouTubechannel named: “I Want To Be An Animal.” The man is seen in the collie costume is seen interacting with real-life dogs and people who are unaware there is a grown man disguised as an animal.

The man inside the dog costume does tricks for a German TV host who was interviewing him at the time.

At the time of publication, the video racked up more than 3 million views on YouTube.

The man previously posted more than 20 videos of him dressed in the dog costume, but his latest video is the first that he left the privacy of his home. Toco said he felt “nervous and a little scared” about going out in public dressed as a dog. (Read more from “Video: Man Spends $14,000 to Fulfill Childhood ‘Desire to Transform’ Into a Collie Dog” HERE)

Photo credit: Flickr

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